Phillies threaten to revoke media credentials for tweeting, then revoke entire policy

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In an unprecedented move, the Phillies enacted a cellphone policy for the press, then swiftly revoked its own new rule within 24 hours.

"Please remind your talent, photographers, and anybody else from your station that is in attendance at a Phillies media availability that texting while the manager and players are speaking is inappropriate," the brief message said, "and failure to follow this rule could result in the revoking of media credentials."

The Phillies say they'll revoke press credentials from reporters who text while players are speaking. pic.twitter.com/BkHHaE7erD

— Alex Silverman (@AlexSilverman) March 26, 2019

Philly media were quick to respond, as were the Phillies — by "texting," they said they actually meant to say "tweeting."

Aaandddd.... this was a follow-up email from Phillies PR... pic.twitter.com/xqgWTlpXBk

— Alex Silverman (@AlexSilverman) March 26, 2019

I can't speak to Phillies press availabilities, but at Sixers scrums nobody is nose deep on their phone. They're spending a few seconds to relay information to fans. You're telling me if Harper is out of the lineup, they're to wait 15 min for press avail to end? Get out of here.

— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) March 26, 2019

So, the @Phillies sign the most high-profile baseball player in the world, those journalists send Tweets or texts out promoting that player for free FOR them during an interview, and get their media credentials revoked? Wow. Maybe media should just stop covering their games. https://t.co/qXNxCFp90O

— Tim Froehlig (@TFroehlig) March 26, 2019

What about reporters who take notes on their phones? How can you tell the difference?

— Jonathan Clark (@JonathanC333) March 26, 2019

Phillies: "How do we better market ourselves to a younger audience?"Media: "We could tweet out updates during press conferences and help you with social media?"Phillies: "We'll revoke your credentials if you do that. Do kids like calendar giveaways? Yeah lets go with that."

— CogginToboggan (@CogginToboggan) March 27, 2019

It's unknown what prompted the abrupt email to threaten such a policy, but just as quickly as the message circulated, the Phillies rescinded the rule early Wednesday morning.

"after some feedback" pic.twitter.com/FloAtfMZMU

— Alex Silverman (@AlexSilverman) March 27, 2019

As a journalist who just yesterday tweeted a bunch of stuff at a press event, this rule seems… dumb? Philadelphia Phillies are banning reporters from tweeting during press conferences. https://t.co/yXAFz1zYOFcc: @gruber

— Steven Aquino (@steven_aquino) March 27, 2019

Sports reporters and related media often share live photos and videos of press conferences, which some journalists were surprised they had to even explain.

Others, however, came to the Phillies' defense, calling the policy an acknowledgement of respect.

If you reread my first tweet it’s not about press conferences. It’s about smaller interview sessions. It’d be like giving a presentation at work and six of 12 people are fooling around on phones. It’s about being respectful of people’s time. That’s all.

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 26, 2019

I can't say I disagree with the Phillies here. I've been in many locker rooms when a person asks a question, the player is answering it and the reporter is on the phone tweeting and not even looking at the player. I think that is disrespectful. The tweet can wait a few minutes

— Peter Schwartz (@SchwartzSports) March 27, 2019

I'm waiting on further clarification from the #Phillies on this new Tweet policy, but it does make sense. It's more than a tad bit disrespectful to be typing/texting/Tweeting while in direct communication with someone. It may be odd to implement, but it has merit.

— Patrick Gordon (@PGordonPBR) March 26, 2019

Regardless of whatever started this back-and-forth no-tweeting rule, everyone will surely have their phones in hand Thursday at the Phillies opening day.